Thousand Years of Faith: PM Modi Offers Prayers at Somnath
Prime Minister joins Swabhiman Parv celebrations marking 1,000 years of the temple’s resilience
- PM Modi offers prayers at Somnath Temple in Gujarat
- Swabhiman Parv marks 1,000 years since the 1026 attack on the shrine
- 72 hours of Om chanting and grand drone show held at temple premises
- Shaurya Yatra with 108 horses to honour temple defenders on January 11
GG News Bureau
Somnath, 10th Jan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday offered prayers at the Somnath Temple in Gujarat as the nation marked 1,000 years since the first attack on the revered shrine, commemorating a millennium of faith, resilience and civilisational pride.
Arriving in Gujarat for a three-day visit, the Prime Minister shared that he felt blessed to be at Somnath during the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, a nationwide celebration honouring the temple’s enduring spiritual and historical legacy. In a post on X, he described Somnath as a proud symbol of India’s civilisational courage and thanked the people for their warm welcome.
Hundreds of saints from across the country have gathered at the temple to participate in 72 hours of uninterrupted Om chanting, creating a deeply spiritual atmosphere within the premises. The evening celebrations also feature sacred mantra chanting and a grand drone show recreating key moments of the temple’s history.
The Swabhiman Parv commemorates 1,000 years since Mahmud of Ghazni’s invasion of the Somnath Temple in 1026 and also holds special significance as 2026 marks 75 years since the temple’s formal reopening in 1951 after its restoration. The reconstruction was undertaken under the leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and inaugurated in the presence of then President Dr Rajendra Prasad, symbolising national resolve and cultural pride in post-Independence India.
Highlighting the importance of the celebrations, the Prime Minister described the Swabhiman Parv as a powerful symbol of India’s spiritual tradition, being observed across the country with devotion and faith.
On January 11, PM Modi will participate in the Shaurya Yatra, a ceremonial procession featuring 108 horses to honour the warriors who defended the Somnath Temple over centuries. He will also join the divine chanting of the Omkar Mantra, offer darshan and pooja at the shrine, and address a public programme celebrating the temple’s historic legacy and India’s enduring spiritual values.
“The Somnath Swabhiman Parv reflects India’s deep-rooted spiritual values and honours the countless heroic progeny of Mother India and our enduring faith,” the Prime Minister said.
